Effect of Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetes on Estradiol-Stimulated Changes in the Ultrastructure of the Rat Endometrium
Estradiol (E2)-stimulated uterine growth has been well characterized both biochemically and morphologically. Recent studies have shown that insulin plays an important role in the regulation of cellular development. This study examines the effect of streptozotocin-induced diabetes on E2-stimulated changes in the ultrastructure of the endometrium of the rat uterus.Sprague-Dawley rats were ovariectomized at 21 days of age. Diabetes, defined as blood glucose levels greater than 300mg%, was induced in half of these animals by the injection of 85mg streptozotocin/kg body weight.The remaining animals were classified as normal. Animals from both groups were injected with either 0.9% saline or 4μg E2/100gm body weight. At 18, 24, 36 and 48 hours post-injection of E2, uterine segments were collected from 8-10 animals in each experimental group and processed for electron microscopic examination. Uterine segments from saline-injected animals served as controls. Data summarized describe observations made from thin-sections and have not been extrapolated for whole cells.